BENTONVILLE, Ark. (Dec. 16, 2024) – The Walton Family Foundation announced two new Northwest Arkansas Design Excellence Program projects aimed at fostering innovative plans that strengthen community ties. The grants will support transformative projects addressing the region’s growth and support residents' quality of life through land use planning and education improvements.
The Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission (NWARPC) has been awarded a planning grant to develop Phase 1 of the Razorback Regional Greenway Corridor Plan. Building on the success of the 40-mile Razorback Regional Greenway, which opened in 2015, this initiative will create a comprehensive, long-term vision for the trail system, connecting seven cities and enhancing economic, social and environmental outcomes for the region.
The Razorback Greenway Corridor Plan will integrate trail-oriented development (TOD) to encourage vibrant, mixed-use areas that boost trail usage and regional connectivity. It will also address the critical need for housing accessibility and affordability by identifying opportunities for diverse housing options along the Greenway. The plan will promote environmental sustainability by highlighting areas for parks, conservation areas and green spaces while ensuring robust community engagement and incorporating residents' input into the plan. Together, these elements will solidify the Greenway as a safe, accessible and economically beneficial resource for the region.
The Bentonville Public School District has been awarded a grant to develop a master plan for a downtown school campus. This initiative addresses the district’s dual challenge of serving rapidly growing student populations while preserving the historic significance of its downtown schools.
The master plan will prioritize input from students, parents and school board leadership to ensure a collaborative and community-centered vision. It will also focus on sustainability and efficiency, laying the groundwork for a future-ready facility that aligns with the district’s values. The plan will honor the historic importance of the nearly 100-year-old Old High Middle School, ensuring it remains a vital and welcoming landmark in downtown Bentonville.
“These projects reflect our commitment to meeting the needs of a rapidly growing region,” said Meredith Bergstrom, senior program officer at the Walton Family Foundation. “By investing in schools and regional land use planning, we are helping Northwest Arkansas thrive as a dynamic, innovative, inclusive and sustainable place to live and work.”
The Northwest Arkansas Design Excellence Program supports world-class architectural and landscape design in the region. It ensures that public spaces reflect the area’s unique character while promoting economic and community development.
About the Walton Family Foundation The Walton Family Foundation is, at its core, a family-led foundation. Three generations of the descendants of our founders, Sam and Helen Walton, and their spouses, work together to lead the foundation and create access to opportunity for people and communities. We work in three areas: improving Education, protecting rivers and oceans and the communities they support, and investing in our home region of Northwest Arkansas and the Arkansas-Mississippi Delta. To learn more, visit waltonfamilyfoundation.org and follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram.